Although the tournament is being played on another continent, many matches will be shown during the early evening or otherwise fit conveniently within the casino’s opening hours (Sun–Thu 3:00 PM–3:00 AM and Fri–Sat 3:00 PM–4:00 AM).

A record-breaking 48 teams will participate in the 2026 tournament, with a total of 104 matches to be played. You are guaranteed to find dozens of exciting games to follow, provided you can stay awake for the tournament’s five-and-a-half-week marathon! Best of all, our viewing party comes without outrageous hotel rates, $250 parking fees, or $150 train tickets from New York to New Jersey, which some travelling fans may encounter.

With the expanded number of teams, the knockout stage will begin with a Round of 32 rather than the traditional Round of 16. Teams reaching the podium will play eight matches instead of the previous seven. It is a demanding road to glory.

Who and What to Watch?

According to betting markets, Opta’s supercomputer, and data models from Goldman Sachs, the leading favourites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are Spain and France. Their strongest challengers are expected to be England, Brazil, and defending champions Argentina. Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, is widely regarded as a potential dark horse. And don’t forget the Netherlands. Could this finally be their year? Or will Germany once again power its way to the top?

Could this become a tournament for football’s elder statesmen? Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong at 41, Croatia’s Luka Modrić has reached 40, and Argentina captain Lionel Messi will celebrate his 39th birthday during the tournament. Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper is also expected to be the evergreen Manuel Neuer, now in his forties. People were already saying during the previous World Cup that these legends should be appreciated while we still can, and here they are again on football’s biggest stage.

Every favourite has one player capable of deciding a match through sheer individual brilliance. Among them are Spain’s Lamine Yamal, France’s Kylian Mbappé, England’s Harry Kane, Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior, and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

If you would like to keep an eye on the next generation, remember these names in addition to Lamine Yamal: Ecuador’s 19-year-old Kendry Páez, Brazil’s Endrick, Côte d’Ivoire’s Yan Diomande, and Mexico’s 17-year-old Gilberto Mora. You may be hearing much more about them in the years to come.

Cheering for the Vikings?

Many Finnish fans will no doubt be supporting our Nordic neighbours Sweden and Norway. Expectations for Sweden are relatively modest despite the presence of prolific goalscorer Victor Gyökeres. Sweden only just qualified for the tournament and may have manager Graham Potter to thank for stabilising the team when it mattered most.

Norway, on the other hand, looks capable of causing a surprise. The core of the team is packed with quality: Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Kristoffer Ajer, Sander Berge, and Alexander Sørloth. They have defensive strength, creativity in midfield, and ruthless goalscorers up front. If the Vikings get off to a strong start, who knows how far they might go?

Let’s hope we all find ourselves in top tournament form for the weeks ahead!

Admission to the casino and Sports Bar is free. The age limit is 18. Identification is checked at the casino reception, so please bring a valid ID (driver’s licence, passport, or national identity card).

Get ready for an unforgettable evening full of big emotions, timeless hits and irresistible energy, as Lauri Mikkola takes the audience on a journey through the greatest classics of British music in the spectacular British Legends show.

British pop and rock have defined the soundtrack of generations – decade after decade. During the evening you’ll hear music by artists such as The Beatles, Queen, Elton John, Oasis, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and Phil Collins, as well as many other legendary performers.

The evening’s star vocalist is Lauri Mikkola, who has charmed audiences in the popular Finnish television show Elämäni biisi and in numerous successful musical productions. Lauri combines charisma, power and sensitivity, bringing fresh energy and emotion to beloved classics.

–It’s fantastic to come to the casino to do a show that’s packed with big songs everyone knows. I promise it’s going to be an amazing evening, says Lauri.

Across three dynamic sets, the show takes you through the history of British music – from intimate moments to unforgettable sing-alongs and finally into a full‑on party atmosphere.

The Show & Dinner experience includes a three-course dinner and a spectacular live performance by Lauri Mikkola and a top-class live band. The evening’s atmosphere will take you on a journey through the decades and build to an unforgettable finale.

Show & Dinner evenings in autumn 2026

PREMIERE 5 November 2026

Thu–Fri 5–6 Nov
Thu–Fri 12–13 Nov
Thu–Sat 19–21 Nov
Wed–Sat 25–28 Nov
Wed–Sat 2–5 Dec
Wed–Sat 9–12 Dec
Thu–Sat 17–19 Dec
Thu 31 Dec

Doors to Fennia Salonki open at 5:30 p.m., and showtime is at 7:00 p.m. The Show & Dinner evening ends at around 10:00 p.m.

Show & Dinner Menu Options

Starter

Juniper-marinated cucumber & melon, lime-ginger syrup, chili and roasted pumpkin seeds (Veg, G)

Main course

Charcoal-grilled Arctic char, caramelised fennel & green beans, potatoes and beurre blanc sauce (L, G)
or
Roasted lamb rump, braised Brussels sprouts, thyme potato cake and lingonberry–red wine sauce (L, G)
or
Fried portobello, braised Brussels sprouts, thyme potato cake and lingonberry–red wine sauce (Veg, G)

Dessert

Dark chocolate mousse, digestive biscuit crumble and rosehip melba (Veg, G)

L = lactose-free / M = dairy-free / G = gluten-free

Please send information about allergens, special diets and drink orders to myynti.casinohelsinki@restel.fi.

Tickets for Show & Dinner are on sale at Lippu.fi

The price of a Show & Dinner ticket is EUR 108.60. Tickets are sold by Lippu.fi.

For bookings for larger groups (over 20 people), as well as enquiries about individual seats for small groups and possible cancellations, please contact: myynti.casinohelsinki@restel.fi.

Please note that entry to the casino requires you to be at least 18 years old and to verify your identity with a valid, undamaged driving licence, passport or ID card. To avoid queues caused by the registration process, please arrive in good time. You can find more information about entry requirements here: About us.

The tournament schedule is:

• Thu 16 July, 4:00 p.m. – Seven Card Stud Fixed Limit
• Fri 17 July, 4:00 p.m. – Razz Fixed Limit
• Sat 18 July, 4:00 p.m. – Sökö Pot Limit

Tournament tickets are on sale at the Casino Helsinki cashiers from 3 June onwards, and some tickets can also be reserved via Veikkaus Customer Service (tel. +358 200 55000). Reserved tickets must be collected from the casino cashier no later than 15 minutes before the tournament starts. Any released tickets can be inquired about from the casino cashier on the tournament day.

You can find more information about the tournament after logging in at: veikkaus.fi/fi/pokeri/kampanja/weekend-series-stud-weekend.

We will check your identity at the casino, so please bring a valid ID (driver’s licence, passport, or identity card). The age limit for entry to the casino is 18 years.

Midsummer opening hours:

• Thu 18 June: 3:00 PM–3:00 AM
• Fri 19 June: 3:00 PM–4:00 AM (Midsummer Eve)
• Sat 20 June: 3:00 PM–4:00 AM (Midsummer Day)
• Sun 21 June: 3:00 PM–3:00 AM

The Sports Bar is open daily from 3:00 PM. The kitchen serves food from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM Sunday–Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Casino Helsinki’s Sports Bar will continue to serve guests throughout the summer as usual. The Sports Bar kitchen is open Mon–Thu from 3 pm to 11 pm, Fri–Sat until midnight and on Sundays until 10:00 PM. On the venue’s many screens, you can watch live sports events such as the Ice Hockey and Football World Championships.

Our summer terrace on Mikonkatu is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 3:00 PM onwards, and from mid-June it will be open from Wednesday to Saturday (weather permitting). More information about the terrace services can be found here: Foija Terrace.

Admission to the casino and our restaurants is free of charge. The age limit is 18 years. We check identification at the casino reception, so please remember to bring a valid ID.

Casino Helsinki once again serves as the official Veikkaus viewing venue for Team Finland, and the Sports Bar is ready to welcome fans starting Friday 15 May, when Finland’s work begins at 5:20 PM against Germany. If you wish, you can reserve a table at the Sports Bar via the “Book a table” form on our website.

Team Finland Games

Group stage

• Fri 15 May, 5:20 PM – Finland vs. Germany
• Sat 16 May, 5:20 PM – Finland vs. Hungary
• Mon 18 May, 5:20 PM – Finland vs. USA
• Thu 21 May, 5:20 PM – Finland vs. Latvia
• Fri 22 May, 9:20 PM – Finland vs. Great Britain
• Sun 24 May, 9:20 PM – Finland vs. Austria
• Tue 26 May, 9:20 PM – Finland vs. Switzerland

Quarter-finals – Thu 28 May

Thu 28.5. the casino will only be open from 12 pm to 6 pm due to a staff event.

• 5:20 PM – Quarter-final 1
• 5:20 PM – Quarter-final 2
• 9:20 PM – Quarter-final 3
• 9:20 PM – Quarter-final 4

Semi-finals – Sat 30 May

• 4:20 PM – Semi-final 1
• 9:00 PM – Semi-final 2

Medal games – Sun 31 May

• 4:30 PM – Bronze medal game
• 9:20 PM – Final

Free admission. Age limit is 18. Identification is checked at the casino reception, so please bring a valid ID (driver’s license, passport, or ID card).

We want to give our entire casino team the opportunity to come together, celebrate shared successes and enjoy an evening together – these moments are important to us.

We thank you for your understanding and look forward to welcoming you again during our normal opening hours:

• Sun-Thu 3 pm–3 am
• Fri-Sat 3 pm–4 am

Our summer terrace on Mikonkatu is also now open, weather permitting.

Admission free. The minimum age for the casino and its events is 18. Identification is checked at the casino reception, so please bring a valid ID (driver’s license, passport, or ID card). We recommend arriving early to avoid queues.

Tournament tickets are available for purchase at the Casino Helsinki cashier starting Thursday 30 April at 3 pm. A limited number of tickets can also be reserved through Veikkaus customer service (tel. +358 200 55000). Reserved tickets must be collected from the casino cashier no later than 15 minutes before the start of the tournament. Any unclaimed tickets may be inquired about at the casino cashier on the day of the tournament.

Satellite tournaments will be available from mid-May onwards at Veikkaus.fi/pokeri. More information about the tournament is available after logging in at: veikkaus.fi/fi/pokeri/kampanja/midnight-sun

Identification is checked at the casino, so please bring a valid ID (driver’s license, passport, or ID card). The age limit is 18.

A diverse buffet menu combines fresh salads, fish and meat delicacies, vegetarian options, and sweet desserts into a spring-inspired experience. The price for the May Day brunch is 54 euros. Children aged 12–17 years: 34 euros, and children under 12 years: 1.50 euros per year of age.

May Day Brunch Menu

• Green salad, spinach, arugula (Veg, GF) & house salad dressing (LF, GF)
• Onion herring (DF, GF)
• Tar-cured gravlax salmon & lemon sour cream (LF, GF)
• Caesar salad (LF, GF) & croutons (DF)
• Chicken pasta salad & truffle mayonnaise (LF)
• Air-dried ham & cantaloupe melon (DF, GF)
• Waldorf salad (Veg, GF)
• Roasted carrots, pumpkin seeds (Veg, GF) & cumin cream (LF, GF)
• Cucumbers marinated with fennel & nettle (Veg, GF)
• Baby potatoes (Veg, GF)
• Sourdough bread (Veg) & whipped butter (LF, GF) & beetroot hummus (Veg, GF)
• Smoked pork neck (DF, GF)
• Salmon & Béarnaise sauce (LF, GF)
• Chickpea-carrot patties & chive fraîche (Veg, GF)
• Roasted root vegetables (Veg, GF)

Desserts

• Mini doughnuts (LF)
• Chocolate mocha squares (LF)
• Carrot cake (Veg, GF)
• Assorted candies (Veg/LF/DF/GF)
• Sima (May Day lemon drink)

Veg = Vegetarian, LF = Lactose Free, DF = Dairy Free, GF = Gluten Free

Please note that on May Day, entrance to Fennia Salonki is exceptionally via Restaurant Foija. You’ll find Foija on the Fenniakortteli side.

Table reservations can be made by phone at +358 41 731 4826 or by email at ravintola.casinohelsinki@restel.fi.